- Hello. My name is Lisa. I am doing this to raise funds to help with something not so fun to talk about: my best friend Carl. Let me start first by telling you what I know about Carl. He was the most soft-spoken, loving, caring person I have ever met. He is the one that anyone could go to no matter what they were going through. He, no matter what it cost him, would be there for you no matter what, even if that meant it left him without anything. He would have done anything for me, I know that for certain. I would have done anything for him as well.
- My dear friend decided to take an impromptu trip to Puerto Rico. It was a very uncharacteristic decision. However, at somewhat of a crossroads, he had found himself questioning, I believe, what came next in life. He yearned for a new chapter, a new adventure. I am aware as we lived together and had many, many discussions, usually lasting for hours and much research as to what that would entail. What life was supposed to mean, and how we had fallen off the paths we thought we were supposed to follow when we were younger. Both of us were in complete agreement that we truly wished we had explored more, made different choices, and seen the beauty this world and life have to offer. We constantly questioned, as I am sure everyone does, if we ultimately made the right decisions or followed the right paths in life.
- Carl decided to take time off work, which doesn't happen often, and take an opportunity to go and see one of his close friends that lives down in Puerto Rico. It was an impromptu quick decision. Just like that, he came home from work on a Friday and had a ticket booked. I was there to help him pack. After issues with flights, getting stuck in Philadelphia for 12 hours, and then rerouted back to Denver, and a horrible mood (trust me), he was able to get on another flight. So Tuesday, he left again in high hopes of no complications. He finally made it. He was so excited. One of the first things he did was go to the beach and try his hand at snorkeling. By the way, in very shallow water as he wasn't the strongest of swimmers (I never said that out loud). To be honest, I am not sure yet completely what ensued. He had a history of a stroke and not perfect health, but honestly, he was strong. Carl could do anything; you might have to hear some moaning and groaning later, but he never gave up or acted like there was anything he couldn't handle. So there are many factors that could have taken place here.
- Being that he was in Puerto Rico, regardless of it being part of the United States, it is very difficult to get things done in a timely manner. I have taken charge of the matters and diligently, I mean full-time job, getting everything taken care of as respect to my best friend in the world and am bringing him home to carry out what I know to be his wishes. As I am sure most of us, I am not independently wealthy. I would give anything to just have everything taken care of and not a second thought about any of it, but unfortunately, I can't. I am looking to please get some assistance in what it is going to cost for such things as the cremation, and being able to finally get him back here to Denver. Then once here, I believe we, being close friends, daughters, and anyone that knew him, would like to have a celebration of life, as well as laying him to rest with his immediate family and also where he most loved to be. I am asking anyone that reads this to please contribute whatever you are able to. If you knew Carl, then please consider what lengths he would have gone for you. Personally, I know for a fact that he would be sitting here trying any facet to do the same for me, no matter what it took. I truly wish to find a way to have all of this taken care of so that I may too have a chance to remember my dear friend and get past how hard this has been to accomplish. Thank you and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you and God bless.
Organizer
Lisa Welton
Organizer
Wheat Ridge, CO